What’s It Like to Live in Barcelona?

What Is It Like to Live in Barcelona? Find out about expat life in Barcelona in this interview with Lauren:

Have you ever been to Barcelona? Like many who’ve visited, I was amazed by the unique architecture and lively atmosphere of this beautiful city. In this next post in my living abroad series, Lauren talks about expat life in Barcelona, from adjusting to the routines in Spain to raising a family in a new culture. You can find her on Instagram and her blog The Expat Chronicle.

What is it like to live in Barcelona, Spain?

I live in Barcelona, Spain with my husband Tony of 11 years and our three children Anthony (8), Autumn (6) and London (3). We have been here for almost three years and originally come from the United States in New Jersey.

My husband works a full-time job as a corporate executive in Human Resources, my three children attend school here and I work as a blogger/freelance writer during the day.

On the decision to move to Barcelona:

We moved in August 2017 just shy of a year after our third child was born. My husband’s company offered him a position in their new Barcelona office and we simply couldn’t turn down the opportunity!  

Living abroad was something my husband and I had always talked about but never really thought would happen. It was more of a dream! Until finally the opportunity was presented to us and we knew it was meant to be.  It was the change we had really been searching for in life!

On planning for an overseas move & expat life in Barcelona:

It took a LOT of work. Especially coming from a big home in New Jersey with two cars and lots of things.

We decided to move abroad with only our personal items, toys, kitchen essentials and some décor. But all of our furniture and the majority of our things had to be put into storage. European homes are simply too small to fit all of our things!

We put our home up for sale (it sold within one week!) and sold both of our cars. Two weeks before departing for Spain, a relocation company came to the house and packed every item up – down to the last drinking glass! It was a crazy process.

Everyone, including our immediate family members who all lived locally, were supportive and excited for the adventure but of course very sad to see us go. Even after having been here almost three years, the goodbyes never get easier…  

First impressions of expat life in Barcelona:

At first, I was overwhelmed by the size of Barcelona. I had this impression that it would look like the Gothic Quarter with medieval buildings and churches everywhere. And while that scene is certainly quintessential of downtown Barcelona, the bordering neighborhoods where we live are modern and bustling like any major city!

Over time I’ve come to learn the ins and outs of navigating this city and now can get myself around very easily! I now know where to find the best parks, views, restaurants, shops and can give recommendations to visitors as if we’ve lived here our whole lives.

The Spanish have a very different way of life compared to those in the U.S. and I certainly experienced some culture shock when we first moved here. Two hour siestas, breakfast cervezas, 11PM bedtime for children and topless beaches were just some of the things we had to get adjusted to on this side of the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by 🌍The Expat Chronicle | Lauren (@theexpatchronicle) on Apr 26, 2020 at 5:59am PDT

On the challenge of making friends in another country:

Given the fact that we have three children in the private and semi-private school system here, it was quite easy to make friends and meet other expats. Some of these friends have become our family overseas and can relate to all the ups and downs of being foreigners in Barcelona.

Major cities all over the world, especially those in Europe, are true melting pots! No matter what part of the world someone comes from, there are lots of opportunities to find “their people.” Cultural groups, meet ups, language exchanges, volunteer groups are all fantastic ways to meet others with similar interests.

The best advice I can give it to tap into what you love and search for ways to get involved in those activities. You’ll for sure meet others with the same interests.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by 🌍The Expat Chronicle | Lauren (@theexpatchronicle)

Daily life in Barcelona:

The first thing that comes to mind when I think about how different our live in Barcelona is from back in the States, public transportation comes to mind. We used to own two cars in New Jersey which we relied on heavily to get us around.

Now in Europe, I don’t drive AT ALL, which means my daily errands and commute to school is done via train/bus. It’s a drastic change but one that we’ve gotten very used to and comfortable with. I feel this has also really equipped the kids in an amazing way to navigate a big city. 

During the day while my husband is at work and the kids at school, I spend my time doing errands and typically have to speak in Spanish. This has helped me so much in strengthening my language skills – which of course is a drastic change from my daily habits in America always speaking English.

There are SO many things I love about living in Europe. The history, the architecture, the rich culture and the relaxed way of life has really opened our eyes to what really matters in life.

On the challenges of living abroad: 

What is it like to live in Spain? Well, something that has been tough to get used to is the Spanish siesta. While the concept is lovely – closing down businesses and stores for three hours each day to enjoy time at home and with friends – it can be incredibly frustrating! I’m used to being super productive with my time during the day and shops closing for a large part of the afternoon takes some strategic planning ahead…and lots of patience!

What surprised us about expat life in Barcelona:

• • Spanish is NOT the first language; Catalan is and the locals here speak it.
  • There are SO many holidays throughout the year when schools are closed, half of them we aren’t even really sure what’s being celebrated!
  • Many food ingredients that can be found in products from the States are prohibited here such as high fructose corn syrup, colors, additives and preservatives. Some foods have them of course but many do not. It’s much easier to purchase healthy things at the grocery stores here in Barcelona.
  • The hours threw us for a loop! Public and semi-private schools (like the one that our three-year-old attends) go until 5:00pm and then after school activities run until 7, sometimes 8:00pm. Families eat dinner at 9:00pm and children are asleep by 10:30/11!! We have NOT adapted to these hours at all other than school times.
  • It is acceptable to drink alcohol at all hours of the day, and many workers can be seen enjoying beer and croissants for breakfast.
  • There is a definitely political and social divide here that we did not expect. Similar to the Republican/Democratic parties of American politics, there are two beliefs here in Catalunya as it relates to this region becoming an independent nation or continuing to be a part of Spain under the rule of the government in Madrid. People that are for the independence can be seen hanging Catalan flags outside their homes while those that are NOT will hang the traditional Spanish flag.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by 🌍The Expat Chronicle | Lauren (@theexpatchronicle) on May 17, 2020 at 10:46am PDT

On raising kids in Spain:

I have been married for 11 years and living abroad has been a true test for us! We’ve undergone so much as a couple and have been challenged in ways we never imagined when first saying “I do.” But this experience and all the ups and downs have certainly made us stronger. We feel we can do ANYthing together as a couple after moving our entire family abroad and creating a successful life here for us all.

And about our three children . . . It was nerve-wrecking moving them to a foreign country. I worried so much about how they would adjust, learn a new language and meet friends.  But they have really done fantastic and know that Barcelona has been a very special experience for our family. Sure, they miss the United States and some friends/family back home but have gained SO much from being abroad, like being able to travel in Europe!

What could Americans learn from the Spanish?   

I think the very laid-back way of life is something I would love to see Americans embrace more.  People are quite stressed back home and always pushing themselves to do more, be more. Don’t get me wrong, I admire those with a strong worth ethic and a drive to achieve – but when it becomes detrimental to one’s mental health, it’s not worth it.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by 🌍The Expat Chronicle | Lauren (@theexpatchronicle)

Lauren’s travel tips for Barcelona:

The very best resource that I direct people to when they ask about traveling to Barcelona is my blog! Here are a few articles that will really come in handy:

30 Ways to Enjoy Barcelona with Kids of Any Age

5 Perfect Date Nights in Barcelona

Smart Tips for Visiting Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia

What’s next?

The term “expat” suggests something temporary.  Which means we will someday return back to the States. At the moment, my husband has accepted a new job here with a Barcelona based company and so we know for sure we’ll remain here for at least another year. This is something we are happy about!

After that, who knows! Perhaps we move to another location in Europe and continue the adventure or return to our roots and settle back down. Only time will tell…

Thanks, Lauren, for this fun peek into your family’s new life in Spain! If you or someone you know has lived abroad, please let me know if you’d like to share your story!